:grouphug: My DHs sister took her own life seven years ago. Many emotions. Hugs and prayers.

From the mother of the child in question, from her blog post about her conversation with the doctor and social worker: (Dr.) “These medications she has to take after the transplant, they are very dangerous. They can cause seizures. We have to get the dose exact. They may cause brain damage.” “DO OTHER CHIILDREN WHO HAVE A TRANSPLANT TAKE THIS MEDICATION?” “Yes, but it is different for her. She is already brain damaged and mentally retarded.” He pauses as if he is choosing his words carefully. “I have been warned about you. About how involved you and your famliy are with Amelia.” The devil himself could not have produced a more evil laugh. “Ha! Warned! That is funny! You have no idea…” I am beginning to realize I want this over with so I can move onto the next person who will help me with the transplant. So I say the words and ask the questions I have been avoiding. “So you mean to tell me that as a doctor, you are not recommending the transplant, and when her kidneys fail in six months to a year, you want me to let her die because she is mentally retarded? There is no other medical reason for her not to have this transplant other than she is MENTALLY RETARDED!” “Yes. This is hard for me, you know.” My eyes burn through his soul as if I could set him on fire right there. “Ok, so now what? This is not acceptable to me. Who do I talk to next?” “I will take this back to the team. We meet once a month. I will tell them I do not recommend Amelia for a transplant because she is mentally retarded and we will vote.” “And then who do I see?” “Well, you can then take it the ethics committee but as a team we have the final say. Feel free to go somewhere else. But it won’t be done here.” They both get up and leave the room. ------------- Yes, there are many factors about which we do not know. Yes, this is a hugely emotional issue. Yes, the hospital can't share its side. But as a parent of a child with Down syndrome (though I know the child in question has another condition), I find this scary.

My son (3 yo w/Down syndrome) is doing very well in a self-contained special ed public school preschool program. The main reason is that the teacher and aides are FABULOUS!!! He gets so much encouragement, attention, assistance, and reinforcement of proper behavior. DS is using more words and signs (he spoke two words in September, and now he knows seven). As other posters have noted, each class is very different. This placement is right for my son at this time in his life, though in the future he may need something different. I'm taking it one day at a time. Best of luck to you!

Congrats!! (fellow mom who had a surprise after an adoption--not a common occurrence, but certainly a blessed one!).

Our oldest was adopted domestically through an agency (Bethany). She was a few weeks old when we brought her home, after a wait of about 9 months (really). My other two kids are bio. I would love to adopt again, this time perhaps internationally. DH is not on board right now, but hopefully in the future.

I STILL get phone calls from the previous people. Like, "Sorry your dad died" and appointment reminders as well as a bill collector. We've had this number for 18 months.

I grew up in the DC area as a kid. My strongest memories are of the Air and Space Museum, Hirshorn (art), and Natural History. Also, the Vietnam Memorial is very powerful, day or night.

There are many online free videos you can try. My favorite is Callanetics -- youtube carries some of them. You don't need a lot of space or equipment. Or do a routine of jumping jacks, pushups, crunches. Even some a day will help. I do this sometimes, just five or ten minutes before a shower or when the kids are occupied. Also -- do a search for transverse abdominal exercises. These have helped my post-baby belly a bunch!

Welcome (soon) to Virginia! I'm not in the area you describe but hope you find help and support. The homeschool conferences in VA are good -- one in March and a big one in June.

It took a few weeks for me to feel better, but I did find that I had to cut back on dairy for a while, too. Now I know immediately when I have had something questionable, I have a gastro reaction. I've been off about six months. Good luck!

I have several ceramic knives and they are AWESOME! Even the cheap one is good. My fave is a green ceramic chef's knife from Pampered Chef (not a consultant, just a happy customer).

This book is very helpful for those who have loved ones (or not-so-loved-ones) with BPD http://www.amazon.com/Hate-You-Dont-Leave-Understanding/dp/0380713055 My husband's sister had it (I use past tense because, unfortunately, she took her own life). It is a very challenging disorder because the person doesn't see the problem as him/herself, IMHO.

I have a Trident Krakeur. Very similar to Otterbox but not as bulky. DS 3 has thrown the iPad on the hardwood floor with nary a problem (other than my jangled nerves!).

I have leftover brisket warming on the stove right now -- I chopped it to oblivion and added some broth and taco seasoning. Looks very close to ground beef for tacos. Other thoughts....shepherd's pie, chopped "meatloaf"?

When I did mission work in St Louis (Bellefontaine) I did travel to several baseball games that got out late and drove home no problem. I was 20 and my mission partner (also female) was 23. I don't know about the other arenas downtown, though. That said, as the previous poster noted, it depends on multiple circumstances with the person and the specifics.

Another news outlet has more information: http://www.nbc12.com/story/16438497/chesterfield-1st-grader-dead-from-allergic-reaction-at-school Apparently, the child was well aware of her allergy to peanuts and eggs and went to the nurse with a rash. No info as to whether she carries an epi, but I'm guessing not if she went to the nurse. So sad. My heart just breaks for this family.

My son had his removed last year (just adenoids, not tonsils). He has improved some since then, though he may need his tonsils out in the future (this is more reflective of his age and his Down Syndrome). Recovery took about a week (again, kids w/DS tend to take longer) and involved very foul-smelling breath, just FYI. It helped lessen his snoring considerably. Hope it goes well!

Piano Tutor is the only one I know of, and it has a small keyboard. Hope you receive other ideas!

A child was exposed to peanuts on her first day back to school and suffered cardiac arrest and died. http://www.wtvr.com/news/wtvr-chesterfield-student-death-20120103,0,4150762.story This is not a public school rant -- as a mom of a child w/allergies I knows that one can be exposed to food anywhere (though with homeschooling we def have much more control). It's just VERY, VERY sad!!!

I also recommend Signing Time. My whole family uses as to help my 3yo with limited verbal skills. He knows 40+ signs -- most of which he signs with his left hand. :)

This site has many g-free and (mostly) d-free ideas: http://www.health-bent.com/category/treats

Williamsburg, VA has all of what you requested -- but it would be a long drive!

I've been mostly Gfree for a few months and feel great (DD5 has celiac, and I decided to be her g-free buddy). I've lost a few pounds and a whole pants size. There are a few web sites to get you started. I also made a separate post for those who want gluten free meal plans -- there's a deal through Fresh 20 right now. http://www.adventuresofaglutenfreemom.com/ http://glutenfreegirl.com/ Also, many of the Paleo and Primal sites and cookbooks will be very helpful! The Eat Clean Diet is also very adaptable to eating gluten free.

If anyone is looking to do more/better meal planning, Family Finds (similar to Groupon) is having a deal for 6 months of menu plans for $15. They have regular, vegetarian, and gluten-free plans. I was VERY impressed with the gluten free samples and went ahead and ordered. The plan for a week uses fresh, healthy food and seems to keep leftovers in use. So, for example, a big roast is on the plan for one night, and then leftovers go to tostadas another night. Go to Family Finds dot com. Disclaimer: If you go to this link, you will help me (perhaps) earn a free plan. Thank you, but no pressure. :D http://www.familyfinds.com/r/cmd:refer_offer/u:181175/sig:9d40fa6e13ccf80d612763584b5d7177/source:36002/deal:1122/offer:1152/track:date=2012-01-01

My DD5 and my mom are both celiac. I also started eating gluten-free this summer and feel TONS better, and so I'm going to stick with it. For us, since DDs allergy is not anaphalytic, I don't have to worry about cross-contamination. But, it is still a huge shift. We tend to bring food with us wherever we go and keep a well stocked pantry, freezer (with individual cup cakes for parties, for example), and car! For holidays, I have hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas at my house the past two years, which makes it easier for me to control what is served (though it is a lot of work). I also try to encourage non-food rewards and get-togethers, too. You are right - many occasions involve food. Why not have craft parties, for example? Why can't kids get stickers instead of food for rewards? I know this would make things easier for me. :001_smile: